Consumer ethnocentrism influence in choosing a hotel in domestic tourism – evidence from Romania and Croatia

Purpose: The role of consumer ethnocentrism (CE) in choosing a hotel is still not well explored. This research aims to identify if there is a relationship between CE and the preference of Romanian/Croatian respondents for a hotel belonging to a domestic chain vs. international (foreign) chain. Methodology: Exploratory and descriptive research was performed. The data were collected through an online survey, aiming for a quota sample stratified by age and gender. The resulting sample comprises 714 and 832 valid questionnaires in Romania and in Croatia, respectively. Factor analysis, nonparametric correlation analysis, and hypothesis testing were performed. Results: “Defensive patriotism” and “protectionism” were identified as CE factors. CE is moderately expressed for Croatian and Romanian respondents. Respondents from two countries with higher CE factors prefer a national rather than an international hotel. Customers who grew up in the communist era have higher ethnocentrism scores on defensive patriotism and protectionism and prefer national hotels more than those formed in the post-communist period. Conclusion: The results of this research relate to the previously revealed regularity that ethnocentric consumers prefer buying national rather than foreign goods and services. The same is now confirmed for respondents’ hotel preferences when engaging in domestic tourism, contributing to closing a research gap. However, the results indicate that polycentric consumers might evaluate hotels by other criteria and not necessarily by their association with an international chain. In addition, in the case of rechecking post-COVID-19 results, the results presented here can serve as a pre-COVID-19 baseline

TRANSITION IN MENTALITY DUE TO SCARCITY – EVIDENCE FROM THE REPUBLIC OF CROATIA

This paper aims to identify changes in consumption, with emphasis on shifts in decision-making process and income allocation due to scarcity. In order to determine the changes in consumption is necessary to determine the change in the quantity of consumption, and changes in consumption patterns. This paper will first look at the economic situation in the Republic of Croatia. Path positioning on Swan’s diagram will confirm a shift in the equilibrium over time. Study results will show the level of change in consumption caused by scarcity, and a change in consumption patterns. The implications of the results of this study should suggest that in addition of proper macroeconomic management to restore equilibrium and economic growth, a change in citizens’ attitude is also required

TRANSITION IN MENTALITY DUE TO SCARCITY – EVIDENCE FROM THE REPUBLIC OF CROATIA

This paper aims to identify changes in consumption, with emphasis on shifts in decision-making process and income allocation due to scarcity. In order to determine the changes in consumption is necessary to determine the change in the quantity of consumption, and changes in consumption patterns. This paper will first look at the economic situation in the Republic of Croatia. Path positioning on Swan’s diagram will confirm a shift in the equilibrium over time. Study results will show the level of change in consumption caused by scarcity, and a change in consumption patterns. The implications of the results of this study should suggest that in addition of proper macroeconomic management to restore equilibrium and economic growth, a change in citizens’ attitude is also required

Application of Cournot\u27s model on a couple\u27s budget allocation

Budget allocation of the couples belongs to the field of family finance management, but also represents a source of dispute among them, which directed the research of this topic towards family therapy and psychology. This paper will offer quantitative approach, implementing Cournot’s duopoly model to a situation of a couple’s budget allocation. That will emphasis the underlying economic principles, as well as show that there exists an equilibrium solution or an equilibrium set of possible solutions

Game Theory Applied to Business Decision Making under Fiscalization in Croatia: Analysis, Equilibrium, and Policy Recommendations

The Croatian Fiscalization Law implemented in Croatia in 2013 created dynamic interaction and significant consequences for business and the Government. We examine the influence of the Fiscalization Law on decision making of businesses and its consequences. The paper provides an overview and analysis of the implementation process, business decisions, interactions between business and Tax Administration, as well as the consequences. Financial benefits of tax evasion form a clear motivation for businesses, but noncompliance could lead to losses due to penalties. Given the decision-making under risk, the interaction between a business and Tax Administration should be formed as a game model enriched with empirical data. Given the empirical data, while businesses show tendency to deviate, Government generates gain. Hence, it is necessary to examine the equilibrium: how much deviation will the Government tolerate before raising penalties, and which amount of risk will business be willing to take in order to evade taxes

The role of emotions at the strategic level of decsion-making

U radu se polazi od poznavanja fenomena emocija, te se istražuje njihova uloga u strateškom odlučivanju primjenom sekundarnog istraživanja. Svrha ovog rada je predložiti pretpostavke daljnjih istraživanja na temu uloge emocija na strateškoj razini odlučivanja, budući da su spoznaje o emocijama u strateškom odlučivanju u užem smislu ograničene, parcijalne te proturječne. Za potrebe pisanja ovoga rada primijenjeno je istraživanje za stolom koje je obuhvatilo pretraživanje odabranih bibliografskih baza prema kriteriju ključnih riječi te metodu snježne grude. U radu se razlikuje strateško odlučivanje u užem smislu od strateškog odlučivanja u širem smislu, koje obuhvaća proces strateškog menadžmenta. Kod strateškog odlučivanja, emocije dominantno pozitivnog hedonističkog tona ukazuju na povoljnu situaciju koju nije potrebno mijenjati dok emocije dominantno negativnog hedonističkog tona ukazuju na potrebu za promjenom postojeće situacije i potiču na djelovanje. U tom kontekstu, uočava se da postojanje negativnih emocija nije negativno iz perspektive strateškog menadžmenta, već dovodi do poželjnog pristupa pri strateškom odlučivanju i povoljnih ishoda (izuzev utjecaja ljutnje). Narativni pregled rezultira s četrnaest pretpostavki kao prijedloga daljnjih istraživanja integriranih u konceptualni model uloge emocija u strateškom odlučivanju, u čemu se ogleda originalnost i znanstveni doprinos rada. Sistematizacija teorijskih i empirijskih spoznaja o ulozi emocija u strateškom odlučivanju koja se u radu donosi, prilog je razvoju održivih organizacija.The paper explores the role of emotions in strategic decision-making by applying desk research, encompassing bibliographic search by keywords and further snowball sampling by papers’ references. The aim is to encourage further research on the topic, as knowledge about emotions in strategic decision-making in a narrow sense is limited, partial, and contradictory. We distinguish strategic decision-making in a narrow and broad sense, where the latter includes the process of strategic management. In strategic decision-making, emotions of a dominantly positive hedonistic tone indicate a favorable situation that does not need to be changed. In contrast, emotions of a dominantly negative hedonistic tone indicate the need to change the existing situation and encourage action. In this context, it is observed that the existence of negative emotions is not harmful from the perspective of strategic management. Moreover, they lead to a desirable approach to strategic decision-making and favorable outcomes (excluding the influence of anger). The narrative review results with fourteen assumptions for further research integrated into a conceptual model of the role of emotions in strategic decision-making, thus reflecting this paper’s originality and scientific contribution. The systematization of theoretical and empirical knowledge about the role of emotions in strategic decision-making contributes to the development of sustainable organizations

Određivanje optimalne rute u mreži turističkih atrakcija grada Pule

U radu se razmatra određivanje optimalne rute po turističkim atrakcijama. Na primjeru odabranih deset atrakcija u gradu Puli, dokazuje se da je problem optimalne rute rješiv modeliranjem po uzoru na model putujućega trgovačkog predstavnika (TSP) te primjenom evolucijske metode. Postavljeni problem odnosi se na određivanje pješačke rute i modeliran je iz perspektiva minimizacije udaljenosti i minimizacije vremena potrebnog za obilazak. Prikaz rješavanja korištenjem MS Excela upućuje na mogućnost jednostavne i intuitivne pripreme podataka za analizu te relativno brzog utvrđivanja rješenja. Rezultati upućuju na mogućnosti upotrebe pri organizaciji obilaska u turističkoj destinaciji, prednosti i nedostatke primijenjene metode, ali i prednosti upotrebe kvantitativnih metoda u upravljanju turističkim atrakcijama. Uočena fleksibilnost primjene rezultata otvara mogućnosti daljnjeg obogaćivanja modela, ali i daljnji razvoj u obliku integracije u sustav potpore u upravljanju destinacijom kvantitativnim metodama, uz doprinos održivosti turizma destinacije

Određivanje optimalne rute u mreži turističkih atrakcija grada Pule

U radu se razmatra određivanje optimalne rute po turističkim atrakcijama. Na primjeru odabranih deset atrakcija u gradu Puli, dokazuje se da je problem optimalne rute rješiv modeliranjem po uzoru na model putujućega trgovačkog predstavnika (TSP) te primjenom evolucijske metode. Postavljeni problem odnosi se na određivanje pješačke rute i modeliran je iz perspektiva minimizacije udaljenosti i minimizacije vremena potrebnog za obilazak. Prikaz rješavanja korištenjem MS Excela upućuje na mogućnost jednostavne i intuitivne pripreme podataka za analizu te relativno brzog utvrđivanja rješenja. Rezultati upućuju na mogućnosti upotrebe pri organizaciji obilaska u turističkoj destinaciji, prednosti i nedostatke primijenjene metode, ali i prednosti upotrebe kvantitativnih metoda u upravljanju turističkim atrakcijama. Uočena fleksibilnost primjene rezultata otvara mogućnosti daljnjeg obogaćivanja modela, ali i daljnji razvoj u obliku integracije u sustav potpore u upravljanju destinacijom kvantitativnim metodama, uz doprinos održivosti turizma destinacije

Game Awareness: A Questionnaire

This paper deals with one of the possible methodological approaches to an empirical examination of game awareness. Such an outline should enable the gathering of a deeper understanding of individuals’ awareness. The questionnaire is based on a scenario technique, and it is focused on game awareness in situations with possible strategic interactions. The goal is to assess the instrument regarding its reliability and validity. Internal reliability is assessed using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient. A k-nn analysis was used to estimate divergent construct validity and criterion validity, and nonparametric factor analysis was used to estimate convergent construct validity. The questionnaire satisfies the requirements of reliability and validity. Moreover, there is an indication that each of the eight scenarios may be used separately, as they also meet the criteria for reliability and validity. Possible practical and theoretical implications involve questionnaire use as a basis for educational intervention, other instruments’ development, as well as for the collection and publication of behavioral insights about game awareness. Behavioral insights should enrich the theory and incite behavioral game theory models of game awareness and its implications

Application of Cournot's model on a couple's budget allocation

Budget allocation of the couples belongs to the field of family finance management, but also represents a source of dispute among them, which directed the research of this topic towards family therapy and psychology. This paper will offer quantitative approach, implementing Cournot’s duopoly model to a situation of a couple’s budget allocation. That will emphasis the underlying economic principles, as well as show that there exists an equilibrium solution or an equilibrium set of possible solutions